149 
bright yellow colour, 1 so that it quite resembles amber. As to the 
quantity of the gum produced, the Kauri pine equals probably the 
ancient coniferse of the post-tertiary period, the Abiei niece and Cupres- 
sineai , from which the amber originated. Twigs and branches are 
bristling with white drops of gum; but in larger lumps, the gum col- 
lects especially on the lower part of the trunk from whence the roots 
proceed. Hence it is always found in great quantities in the soil of 
those places , where Kauri-forests stood of old. Pieces of 20 to 30 pounds 
weight and even more, — sometimes of 100 pounds — are of no rare 
occurrence. The Novara collections are indebted to Mr. Petschler, a 
German merchant in Auckland, for a magnificent piece. Kauri gum 
is not soluble in water; it is easily ignited and burns with a sooty 
flame. It froths up strongly at the same time, and produces an aro- 
matic-balsamic odour. In passing over places, cleared in the Kauri- 
woods by burning, I was always reminded of the smell of frank- 
incense and myrrh. 
It is an article of commerce which is in great demand, and 
principally exported to England and North America; it is used in 
the preparations of lac and varnish, and said to be applicable to 
various other branches of industry. The value of a ton of gum 
fluctuates between 10 and 15 pounds Sterling; sometimes it com- 
mands even a higher price. 2 
1 Dieff'enbach is of the opinion, that Kauri gum assumes this beautiful golden- 
yellow colour only under the influence of sea-water. 
2 The following table will indicate the quantity and the value of this article 
of export of the past ten years. 
Export of Kauri-gum from various ports (Auckland, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, 
Mongonui and Kaipara) of the North Island: 
Tons. Value in Pounds Sterling. 
1856 . . . 
. 1440 . . . 
. . . 18,591 
1857 . . . 
. 2521 . . . 
. . 35,250 
1858 . . . 
. 1810 . . . 
. . . 20,036 
1859 . . . 
. 2010 . . . 
. . 20,776 
1860 . . . 
. 1046 . . . 
. . . 9,851 
1861 . . . 
. 865 .. . 
. . 9,888 
1862 . . . 
. 1103 . . . 
. . . 11,107 
1863 . . . 
. 1400 . . . 
. . . 27,026 
1864 . . . 
. 2228 . . . 
. . . 60,590 
1865 . . . 
. 1867 . . . 
. . 46 , 060 . 
